Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, asked Britain on Sunday to revise "heavy-handed" airport security measures which it said were bringing Britain's major airports close to collapse.

The Dublin-based group cancelled 20 percent of flights from its main London Stansted base over the weekend as airport managers tightened security after British police thwarted what they said was a plot to blow up transatlantic airliners.

Ryanair's call was part of a growing row between carriers and airport operator BAA over how to handle tougher security, which includes body searches and a ban on most hand luggage.

British Airways cancelled 30 percent of its flights from London's Heathrow airport on Sunday.

"Ryanair supports all sensible and effective security measures which protect the safety of the traveling public and the UK's air transport industry," Ryanair said in a statement.

"However the BAA are unable to carry out body searches on 100 percent of passengers who have just passed through security x-ray machines and this level of body searches does not enhance security."

The group said body searching young children and family groups traveling on holiday, or people traveling on UK domestic and European flights was "unnecessary and ineffectual".

"We believe that the body search requirement can and should be revised from 100 percent to the normal 25 percent of passengers without in any way diminishing airport security," Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said.

Ryanair said the measures were bringing the main London airports "to the point of collapse".

British Airways has called on the BAA to devote more resources to security. "BAA is unable to provide a robust security search process and baggage operation," BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh said.

Ryanair advised passengers on Sunday to bring one checked bag only per person while enhanced security controls were in place. Check-in desks at its UK bases are opening three hours before departure to give passengers time to check in and clear security.

Fast check-ins and limited baggage are key to the business models of low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet. They have tight turnaround times and rely on getting passengers on flights fast to maintain schedules.